Push through retainer connection with integrated hinging seal

ABSTRACT

A connection assembly adapted to join a surface element to an underlying support structure while maintaining a substantially zero gap abutting relation between the surface element and the support structure. The connection assembly includes a press-in retainer with a circumferential seal having a sealing foot. The sealing foot flexes about a living hinge while maintaining continuous sliding contact with the support panel without interfering with downward movement of the retainer.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a National Phase of International Application NumberPCT/US2013/073861 filed Dec. 9, 2013 and claims the benefit of, andpriority from, U.S. provisional application 61/739,604 filed Dec. 19,2012. The contents of such provisional application and all other patentdocuments referenced in this application are hereby incorporated byreference in their entirety as if fully set forth herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to connection assembliesincorporating retainers which may also be referred to as fasteners. Moreparticularly, this disclosure pertains to connections incorporatingpush-in type retainers having downward biasing wing features whichsecure the retainer in place after insertion through an aperture andwith seals for creating a barrier to the penetration of moisture, dustand noise through the aperture in which the retainer is secured.

BACKGROUND

Push-in type W-base retainers are used in a variety of connectionassemblies to secure components of the assembly. For example, inautomobiles such stud-like retainers are used to secure molding or othersurface structures to underlying support elements such as body panels,support beams or the like. Such retainers typically include a stem withdeflectable wing elements for securing the retainer to the supportelements when the stem portion supporting the deflectable wing elementsis pushed through an aperture in the support element. Typically, a headattached to the stem is configured for attachment to a doghouse or othercomplementary receiving element on the underside of the surfacestructure. In this regard, the head may include an enhanced diameterupper platform radial collar feature and an enhanced diameter lowerradial collar feature with a spacing post extending between the upperand lower radial collar features. Thus, the spacing post may slide intoa doghouse or other receiving element as will be well known to those ofskill in the art and thereafter be blocked against axial withdrawal bythe upper and lower radial collar features.

During use, as the stem is inserted into the aperture, the deflectablemembers may be compressed radially inwardly. The deflectable membersthen may spring outwardly as insertion is completed to lock behind theunderside of the support element. Thus, with the head secured to thesurface structure, the retainer forms a connection between the surfacestructure and the underlying support element.

W-base retainers are typically designed as a component of an overallassembly and work in conjunction with the other components with the goalof establishing and maintaining a “zero gap” condition between the sheetmetal panel or other support element and the molding or other surfacestructure. To promote the desired “zero gap” condition, the W-baseretainers typically provide a continuous pull down or clamp loadcondition. This constant pull down is intended to provide and maintainthe desired “zero gap” condition between the support element and themolding or other surface structure. If this pull down force iscompromised by a significant force acting in the opposite direction suchthat the molding or other surface structure does not seat against thesheet metal panel or other support element, an unacceptable gapcondition may occur within the final assembled product. Such a gapcondition may result in undesired rattling noise as well as in theintroduction of dirt and water between the molding or other surfacestructure and the underlying support structure.

As much as is reasonably possible, it is generally desirable to limitthe generation of squeaks, rattles and objectionable noises that may becreated from movement of the retainer relative to the parts to which itis connected. By way of example only, and not limitation, varioussealing arrangements for push through retainers are illustrated anddescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,173,026 to Cordola et al. and US publishedapplication 2006/0099051 to Moerke, the contents of all of which areincorporated herein by reference in their entirety. To minimizecorrosion, it is desirable also to prevent moisture from precipitation,carwashes, etc. from seeping past the retainer, and through the aperturein which the retainer is installed.

A variety of sealing structures have been used to minimize rattles andsqueaks and to prevent moisture seepage past the retainer. Independentconcave skirts such as described in US published application2006/0099051 have been used in conjunction with push-in retainers at thebase of the head to confront the body panel around the aperture in thepanel. Elastomeric and foam seals also have been used to further improvesealing qualities against moisture penetration.

Although retainers as described incorporating concave skirts and/orseals have been used successfully to limit squeaks and rattles and toinhibit the penetration of moisture past the retainer, furtherimprovements are desirable. Installing the seal as a separate part iscumbersome and awkward, complicating installation of the retainer. Ifinstalled on the retainer in advance, the seal can become dislodged,even if properly placed on the retainer. In automated assembly plants, aretainer missing a seal may not be detected and may be installed on thearticle in which it is used inadvertently. A loose retainer of this typewill rattle or squeak, may provide a path for the penetration ofmoisture and may not adequately secure the second article or item asrequired. If the seal is adhered to the skirt of the retainer, the sealmay not function optimally if the retainer is not seated squarely in thepanel. Further, the position of the seal relative to the retainer skirthas limited the range of panel thicknesses with which the retainer canbe used effectively to provide a seal against moisture intrusion.

As will be understood by those of skill in the art, a seal which is heldbetween the retainer head and the support panel may experience a build,stack up condition as compression force is applied which results in acounteracting upward force being applied against the head which maypartially offset the pull-down force provided by the deflectable wings.In some cases, the presence of seal elements which are compressedbetween the retainer head and the support panel may block the lowercollar feature of the retainer from getting close enough to theunderlying sheet metal panel to establish the desired “zero gap”condition between the sheet metal panel and the overlying molding orother surface structure. That is, the compressed seal in stack-upcondition may act in the manner of a spacing shim holding the retainerhead further away than intended from the sheet metal panel or otherunderlying support element. With the retainer head in this elevatedcondition, the attached molding or other surface element will likewisebe held away from the panel or other support element and a gap conditionmay result.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure provides advantages and alternatives over theprior art by providing a connection assembly including a push-in typeretainer having a functional sealing feature that does not experience abuild, stack up condition that may reduce the clamp load force. Thus,the retainer is not blocked from assuming its designed orientationrelative to the sheet metal panel or other underlying support element. A“zero gap” condition is thereby established and maintained between thesheet metal panel or other underlying support element and the matingmolding substrate or other surface element.

In accordance with one exemplary feature, the present disclosureprovides a connection assembly adapted to join a surface element such asmolding or the like to an underlying support structure such as a sheetmetal panel or the like while maintaining a substantially zero gapabutting relation between the surface element and the support structureduring use. The connection assembly includes a press-in retainer adaptedfor insertion into an acceptance opening in the support structure toestablish operative connecting engagement between the surface elementand the support structure. The retainer includes a retainer head and aclip portion of arrowhead configuration projecting outwardly away fromthe retainer head. The retainer head includes an upper platform and anannular platform defining a lower collar positioned in spaced relationbelow the upper platform. The clip portion includes a central stemextending downwardly away from the lower collar and a pair of flexiblewings extending in upward angled relation away from a central stem. Theretainer further includes a seal disposed at least partially about thelower collar. The seal includes a body portion engaging the lower collarand a sealing foot projecting downwardly and radially outwardly awayfrom the body portion to a free edge such that the sealing foot isdisposed outboard from the lower collar. The underside of the sealingfoot forms an obtuse angle relative to the underside of the lowercollar. The sealing foot flexes about a living hinge while remainingoutboard from the lower collar and maintains continuous sliding contactwith the support panel in response to applied pressure between the sealand the support panel during use.

Other features and advantages of the present disclosure will becomeapparent from a description of certain preferred embodiments thereofwhich are shown in the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view illustrating an exemplary sealingretainer in accordance with the present disclosure with the sealseparated from the retainer body;

FIG. 2 is an elevation perspective view illustrating an exemplarysealing retainer in accordance with the present disclosure engaging trimmolding prior to insertion through a sheet metal support panel;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an exemplary sealingretainer in accordance with the present disclosure in normal operativeconnecting relation between a doghouse surface connector and anunderlying support panel with wing elements in the insertedself-adjusting downward biasing condition;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an exemplary sealingretainer in accordance with the present disclosure engaging trim moldingprior to insertion through a sheet metal support panel and with the sealin an unstressed condition; and

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an exemplary sealingretainer in accordance with the present disclosure engaging trim moldingafter full insertion through a sheet metal support panel with a retained“zero gap” condition between the trim molding and the support panel andillustrating the compression action of the seal in an extreme insertioncondition.

Before the embodiments of the disclosure are explained in detail, it isto be understood that the disclosure is not limited in its applicationto the details of construction and the arrangements of the componentsset forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings.The disclosure is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced orbeing carried out in various ways. Also, it is understood that thephraseology and terminology used herein are for the purpose ofdescription and should not be regarded as limiting. The use herein of“including”, “comprising” and variations thereof is meant to encompassthe items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof, as well asadditional items and equivalents thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now more specifically to the drawings, and to FIGS. 1 and 2 inparticular, it may be seen that the present disclosure provides aretainer 10 adapted to secure a molding 12 or other surface element to asheet metal support panel 14 or other underlying support element ofmetal or the like. As shown, in the illustrated exemplary construction,the retainer 10 includes a retainer head 16 and a snap engaging clipportion 18. As will be appreciated, the retainer head 16 and the clipportion 18 may be formed as a monolithic unitary body by injectionmolding or other suitable molding or fabrication process. The materialfor retainer 10 can be selected as optimally desirable for itsparticular installation and use. Accordingly, the retainer 10 may beformed of suitable plastic, such as Nylon, polypropylene, acetal resinand the like as will be well known to those of skill in the art. Acetalresin and Nylon 6.6 may be preferred in some environments of use. Ofcourse, other polymeric and non-polymeric materials including metal andthe like and combinations of various polymeric materials also may beused if desired. Likewise, it should be understood that the particularconfigurations for the retainer head 16 and for the clip portion 18 maybe varied in a manner as may be desired for a particular installation.

By way of example only, and not limitation, in the illustrated exemplaryconstruction for the retainer 10, the retainer head 16 is adapted forsliding receipt and retention within an intermediate connector 20 (FIG.2) such as a dog house connector or the like disposed in hidden relationat the underside of the molding 12. In this regard, the intermediateconnector 20 may be formed integral with the molding 12 as shown or maybe a separate attached structure as may be desired.

As shown, in the illustrated exemplary construction, the retainer head16 includes a table-like upper platform 22 disposed in opposing relationto a lower collar 24 of substantially rigid, annular construction. Inthis regard, while the upper platform 22 is illustrated as having agenerally rectangular configuration, it is likewise contemplated thatother polygonal or circular geometries may be used if desired. As shown,the lower collar 24 may be in substantially perpendicular non-angledorientation to the travel path of the retainer and may include aninterior collar portion 26 and a reduced thickness outer annular lip 28disposed circumferentially about the interior collar portion such that astep 30 is disposed at the intersection of the interior collar portion26 and the outer annular lip 28. A neck structure 32 in the form of areduced diameter post extends between the upper platform 22 and thelower collar 24. As will be understood, the effective outer diametersdefined by the upper platform 22 and by the lower collar 24 arepreferably greater than the effective outer diameter defined by the neckstructure 32.

In operation, the retainer 10 may be operatively secured to theintermediate connector 20 by sliding the neck structure 32 into a slotin the intermediate connector 20 in a manner as will be well known tothose of skill in the art. The intermediate connector may, in turn, beattached to the overlying molding 12 or other surface element. Likewise,the retainer head 16 may be connected directly to an overlying componentby techniques such as tape, adhesive bonding, mechanical joining or thelike if desired.

As indicated previously, the retainer 10 further includes a clip portiondesignated generally as 18 extending away from the underside of thelower collar 24. In the illustrated exemplary construction, the clipportion 18 includes a stem 34 projecting away from the lower collar 24such that the lower collar is oriented substantially perpendicular to anaxis defined by the stem. As illustrated, wing elements 36 extendupwardly in angled relation away from the end of the stem 34. The wingelements 36 are adapted to flex inwardly towards the stem 34 duringinsertion through an acceptance opening 38 in the support panel 14. Asbest seen through joint reference to FIGS. 1 and 3, in the illustratedexemplary construction each of the wing elements 36 incorporates anouter face having a dogleg configuration facing generally outwardly awayfrom the stem 34. In this regard, in the illustrated construction, theouter face of each wing element 36 includes a proximal face surface 42extending in angled relation away from the axis defined by the stem 34.A distal face surface 44 extends away from the proximal face surface inangled relation back towards the axis defined by the stem 34 ultimatelyterminating at the free tip of the wing element thereby establishing theouter surface dogleg profile. As shown, the free tips of the wingelements are at an elevation below the lower collar 24.

As best seen through joint reference to FIGS. 1-3, a monolithicperimeter seal 50 of flexible polymeric material is disposed about theperimeter of the lower collar 24 generally at the intersection betweenthe retainer head 16 and the clip portion 18. As best seen in FIG. 3,the inner diameter of the perimeter seal 50 may substantially cover theouter annular lip 28 of the lower collar 24 and may abut the step 30.The perimeter seal 50 may be formed from commercially available moldablematerials such as thermoplastic elastomers including, by way of exampleonly, polyolefins, PVC, silicone rubber, PTFE, polyvinylidene fluoride(PVDF), fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP) and blends thereof. Suchmaterials will preferably be of lower durometer (i.e. are less rigid)than the material forming the retainer head and may be characterized bya useful operating temperature range of about −75° C. to about 175° C.In accordance with one exemplary construction, the perimeter seal 50 maybe formed by over-molding or two-shot molding processes such that duringmolding the flexible material forming the perimeter seal 50 isintegrally fused with the more rigid acetal resin or other materialforming the lower collar 24. It is also contemplated that the perimeterseal 50 may be formed separately with a circumferential acceptance slotaround the interior for receipt and retention of the annular lip 28 in astretch-fit relation if desired. In any event, the seal 50 defines arelatively soft, deformable covering at the perimeter edge of the lowercollar 24 adapted to provide a seal around the acceptance opening 38 inthe support panel 14 during use without the need for any sealingstructures oriented below the lower collar.

As best seen in FIG. 3, the perimeter seal 50 may be substantiallyannular and may include a main body portion 52 adapted to cover theouter annular lip 28 of the lower collar 24. A hingeable outwardlyflared sealing foot 54 extends in angled relation downwardly andradially away from the main body portion 52. As shown, the sealing foot54 is elongated and relatively thin in cross-section. In an unstressedcondition (FIG. 4), the sealing foot 54 extends radially outboard fromthe main body portion 52 to a free edge such that the sealing foot isdisposed entirely outboard from lower collar 24 and the underside of thesealing foot forms an obtuse angle relative to the underside of thelower collar 24. As shown, no portion of the angled sealing foot 54 isin the zone below the lower collar 24.

When the sealing foot 54 is pressed against the support panel 14 duringnormal use, the sealing foot 54 readily flexes upwardly towards aflattened condition about a living hinge 56 substantially at theintersection with the body portion 52. This hinging takes place withoutconfinement of the sealing foot between the support panel 14 and thelower collar 24 while continuously maintaining contacting engagementwith the underlying support panel. Thus, the sealing foot 54 may flexfrom its unstressed condition (FIG. 4) to its fully flexed position(FIG. 5) without experiencing a stack-up condition of seal materialbetween the support panel 14 and the lower collar 24. As the sealingfoot 54 flexes during compression, the edge of the sealing foot 54 movesradially outwardly as the sealing foot 54 takes on a more flattenedcondition. As this flattening takes place, the sealing foot 54 moves outof the way of the travel path for the lower collar 24. This avoids anyconfinement and stack-up of seal material between the support panel 14and the lower collar 24 while nonetheless maintaining a sealingcondition relative to the support panel 14. Accordingly, the retainerhead 16 and the attached molding 12 may be pulled downwardly to aposition wherein the molding 12 and the underlying support panel form asubstantially flush “zero gap” condition while maintaining a seal aroundthe acceptance opening 38. In this regard, it will be understood thatsuch a zero gap condition occurs when a contact surface 60 on themolding 12 assumes a contacting abutting relation with the underlyingsupport panel 14. As will be appreciated, the elevation and contour ofthe contact surface 60 may be selected to provide this zero gapcondition when the sealing foot 54 is in a flexed condition relative tothe support panel 14 and with the lower collar 24 elevated relative tothe support panel 14.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3, it will be seen that in normal operation(FIG. 3), a portion of the sloped distal face surface 44 may be incontacting relationship with the inner perimeter surface of theacceptance opening 38. In the normal operating condition shown in FIG.3, the retainer 10 is urged downwardly continuously as the flexed wingelements press outwardly against the perimeter surface of the acceptanceopening 38. However, downward movement will be limited once the molding12 comes into contact with the underlying support panel 14 to establisha zero gap condition. Thus, in the condition shown by FIG. 3, acondition of static equilibrium is established when the molding 12 comesinto contact with the underlying support panel 14. Since the retainer 10is urged continuously downwardly due to the sloped distal face surface44, the retainer will naturally assume and retain the level at which themolding 12 contacts the underlying support panel 14 and thereby blocksfurther downward movement. As shown, in this equilibrium condition, thelower collar 24 remains slightly elevated relative to the support panel14 and the sealing foot 54 of the perimeter seal 50 is hinged outwardlywhile maintaining a sealing relationship against the support panel 14.As can be seen, the sealing foot 54 is adapted to flex outwardly in ahinging action as the retainer moves downwardly without blocking furtherdownward movement by the retainer 10.

As will be appreciated, the equilibrium position of the retainer 10within the acceptance opening 38 is continuously self-adjusting as therelative positions of the molding 12 and the support panel 14 changeduring use as a result of vibration or other events. In this regard, theliving hinge 56 urges the sealing foot 54 continuously against theunderlying support panel 14 as the sealing foot 54 attempts to resumeits normal unflexed condition (FIG. 4). Thus, the sealing relationshipprovided by the sealing foot 54 is maintained by sliding contact as theretainer 10 moves up and down and the sealing foot 54 moves radially inand out during equilibrium adjustment. That is, although the anglebetween the support panel 14 and the sealing foot 54 may change as theretainer 10 moves up and down, the sealing relation is maintained as thesealing foot 54 moves in sliding relation over the support panel.Moreover, since the sealing foot 54 is not confined between the lowercollar 24 and the support panel 14, downward movement of the molding isunobstructed by the sealing element.

As best seen in FIG. 5, in the event of extreme insertion such that thetips of the wing elements wing elements 36 are within the acceptanceopening, in the support panel 14, the sealing foot 54 may assume asubstantially flattened condition against the underlying support panel14 as the molding 12 establishes a “zero gap” condition with the supportpanel. Even in this extreme insertion condition, the sealing foot is notconfined between the lower collar 24 and the support panel 14.Accordingly, no stack-up condition and resultant shim action is created.Thus, the molding 12 may continue to be pulled down to the desired “zerogap” condition over the full range of operative engagement positionsbetween the wing elements 36 and the support panel 14 with the slopeddistal face surface 44 bearing against the support panel.

The ability to avoid a stack-up condition is promoted by maintaining thefree space between the lower collar 24 and the underlying support panelduring downward movement such that portions of the seal material do notcollect in the free space in a manner which would limit downwardmovement. This free space below the lower collar is maintained even inthe extreme insertion condition shown in FIG. 5. As shown, all portionsof the sealing foot 54 are positioned radially outboard from the lowercollar 24 and the free edge of the sealing foot 54 is adapted to slideradially outwardly away from the lower collar 24 and the main bodyportion 52 as the retainer head 16 moves downwardly and the sealing foot54 hinges outwardly. Thus, the sealing foot 54 flattens by hingingoutwardly about the living hinge 56 as it is pressed against anunderlying support panel 14. Accordingly, the sealing foot 54 does notinterfere with downward movement of the retainer head 16 and the molding12 may be maintained in a “zero gap” condition with the underlyingsupport panel 14.

While various spatial and directional terms, such as upper, horizontal,vertical, front and the like may used to describe embodiments of thepresent invention, it is understood that such terms are merely used withrespect to the orientations shown in the drawings. The orientations maybe inverted, rotated, or otherwise changed, such that an upper portionis a lower portion, and vice versa, horizontal becomes vertical, and thelike.

Of course, variations and modifications of the foregoing are within thescope of the present disclosure. It is to be understood that thedisclosure disclosed and defined herein extends to all alternativecombinations of two or more of the individual features mentioned orevident from the text and/or drawings. All of these differentcombinations constitute various alternative aspects of the presentdisclosure. The embodiments described herein explain the best modesknown for practicing the disclosure and will enable others skilled inthe art to utilize the disclosure. The claims are to be construed toinclude alternative embodiments to the extent permitted by the priorart.

What is claimed is:
 1. A connection assembly adapted to join a surfaceelement to an underlying support structure while maintaining asubstantially zero gap, abutting relation between the surface elementand the support structure during use, the connection assemblycomprising: a press-in retainer adapted for insertion into an acceptanceopening in the support structure to establish operative connectingengagement between the surface element and the support structure, theretainer including a retainer head and a clip portion of arrowheadconfiguration projecting outwardly away from the retainer head, whereinthe retainer head includes an upper platform and an annular platformdefining a lower collar positioned in spaced relation below the upperplatform, wherein the clip portion comprises a central stem extendingdownwardly away from the lower collar and a pair of flexible wingsextending in upward angled relation away from a central stem, theretainer further including a seal disposed at least partially about thelower collar, the seal having a durometer lower than the lower collarand including a body portion engaging the lower collar and a sealingfoot projecting downwardly and radially outwardly away from the bodyportion to a free edge such that the sealing foot is disposed outboardfrom lower collar and the underside of the sealing foot forms an obtuseangle relative to the plane of the underside of the lower collar, andwherein the sealing foot flexes about a living hinge while remainingoutboard from the lower collar and maintaining sliding contact with thesupport panel in response to applied pressure between the seal and thesupport panel during use.
 2. The connection assembly as recited in claim1, wherein the retainer head and clip portion are molded as a unitarystructure.
 3. The connection assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein thelower collar is oriented substantially perpendicular to an axis definedby the stem and has a stepped construction including an interior portionand a reduced thickness outer annular lip with a step between theinterior portion and the outer annular lip.
 4. The connection assemblyas recited in claim 3, wherein the seal is formed by over-molding ortwo-shot molding in fused, overlying relation about the outer annularlip of the lower collar.
 5. The connection assembly as recited in claim3, wherein the retainer head and clip portion are molded as a unitarystructure from a polymer selected from the group consisting of Nylon 6,Nylon 6.6, and acetal resin.
 6. The connection assembly as recited inclaim 3, wherein the seal is molded from a thermoplastic elastomer. 7.The connection assembly as recited in claim 3, wherein the retainer headand clip portion are molded as a unitary structure from acetal resin,and wherein the seal is molded from a thermoplastic elastomer.
 8. Theconnection assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein the wings each have adog-leg configuration including a radially inwardly angled segmentdefining an angled biasing surface disposed between a radially outwardlyangled segment and a free end, the angled biasing surface being adaptedto press against an interior surface of the acceptance opening to urgethe retainer downwardly into the acceptance opening.
 9. The connectionassembly as recited in claim 1, wherein the retainer head includes aconnective neck structure extending between the upper platform and thelower collar, and wherein the neck structure is adapted to slidinglyengage an intermediate doghouse connector operatively joined to thesurface element.
 10. A connection assembly adapted to join a surfaceelement to an underlying support structure while maintaining asubstantially zero gap abutting relation between the surface element andthe support structure during use, the connection assembly comprising: apress-in retainer adapted for insertion into an acceptance opening inthe support structure to establish operative connecting engagementbetween the surface element and the support structure, the retainerincluding a retainer head and a clip portion of arrowhead configurationprojecting outwardly away from the retainer head, wherein the retainerhead includes an upper platform, an annular platform defining a lowercollar having a perimeter edge positioned in spaced relation below theupper platform, and a connective neck structure extending between theupper platform and the lower collar, wherein the clip portion comprisesa central stem extending downwardly away from the lower collar such thatthe lower collar is oriented substantially perpendicular to an axisdefined by the stem, a pair of flexible wings extending in upward angledrelation away from the central stem, the flexible wings terminating atwing tips disposed in spaced relation below the lower collar, whereinthe flexible wings each have a dog-leg configuration including aradially inwardly angled segment defining an angled biasing surfacedisposed between a radially outwardly angled segment and a free end, theangled biasing surface being adapted to press against an interiorsurface of the acceptance opening to urge the retainer downwardly intothe acceptance opening, the retainer further including a monolithic sealdisposed about the perimeter edge of the lower collar, the seal having adurometer lower than the lower collar, the seal including a body portionat least partially surrounding the perimeter edge and the seal furtherincluding an integral hinging sealing foot projecting downwardly andradially outwardly away from the body portion to a free edge such thatthe sealing foot is disposed entirely outboard from the underside of thelower collar and forms an obtuse angle relative to the underside of thelower collar, and wherein the sealing foot flexes about a living hingewhile remaining outboard from the lower collar and maintaining slidingcontact with the support panel in response to applied pressure betweenthe seal and the support panel during use; a preformed surface elementhaving a contact surface configured to abut the support structure in asubstantially gapless relation during use; and an intermediate connectoroperatively connected to the surface element and adapted to receive andretain the retainer head such that upon insertion of the retainer intoan acceptance opening in the support panel, an operative connection isestablished between the surface element and the support structure,wherein the surface element is configured such that when the retainer isheld between the intermediate connector and the support structure, thecontact surface of the surface element is at an elevation such that itabuts the support structure while the sealing foot is in contactingrelation with the support structure and the lower collar remains spacedin elevated relation away from the support structure.
 11. The connectionassembly as recited in claim 10, wherein the retainer head and clipportion are molded as a unitary structure.
 12. The connection assemblyas recited in claim 10, wherein the lower collar has a steppedconstruction including an interior portion and a reduced thickness outerannular lip with a step between the interior portion and the outerannular lip, and wherein the seal is formed from a material of lowerdurometer than the material forming the lower collar.
 13. The connectionassembly as recited in claim 12, wherein the seal is formed byover-molding or two-shot molding in fused, overlying relation about theouter annular lip of the lower collar.
 14. The connection assembly asrecited in claim 12, wherein the retainer head and clip portion aremolded as a unitary structure from a polymer is selected from the groupconsisting of Nylon 6, Nylon 6.6, and acetal resin.
 15. The connectionassembly as recited in claim 12, wherein the seal is molded from athermoplastic elastomer.
 16. The connection assembly as recited in claim12, wherein the retainer head and clip portion are molded as a unitarystructure from acetal resin, and wherein the seal is molded from athermoplastic elastomer.
 17. The connection assembly as recited in claim10, wherein the intermediate connector is a doghouse connector adaptedto slidingly receive and retain the connective neck structure.
 18. Theconnection assembly as recited in claim 10, wherein, the intermediateconnector is integral with the preformed surface element.
 19. Theconnection assembly as recited in claim 10, wherein, the intermediateconnector is configured such that the contact surface is at an elevationbelow the lower collar and above the free edge of the sealing foot whenthe retainer head is supported within the intermediate connector andprior to insertion into the acceptance opening.
 20. A method ofconnecting a surface element to an underlying support structure whilemaintaining a substantially zero gap abutting relation between thesurface element and the support structure during use, the methodcomprising: providing a press-in retainer adapted for insertion into anacceptance opening in the support structure to establish operativeconnecting engagement between the surface element and the supportstructure, the retainer including a retainer head and a clip portion ofarrowhead configuration projecting outwardly away from the retainerhead, wherein the retainer head includes an upper platform, an annularplatform defining a lower collar having a perimeter edge positioned inspaced relation below the upper platform, and a connective neckstructure extending between the upper platform and the lower collar,wherein the clip portion comprises a central stem extending downwardlyaway from the lower collar and a pair of flexible wings extending inupward angled relation away from the central stem, the flexible wingsterminating at wing tips disposed in spaced relation below the lowercollar, wherein the flexible wings each have a dog-leg configurationincluding a radially inwardly angled segment defining an angled biasingsurface disposed between a radially outwardly angled segment and a freeend, the angled biasing surface being adapted to press against aninterior surface of the acceptance opening to urge the retainerdownwardly into the acceptance opening, the retainer further including amonolithic seal disposed about the perimeter edge of the lower collar,the seal having a durometer lower than the lower collar, the sealincluding a body portion at least partially surrounding the perimeteredge and the seal further including an integral hinging sealing footprojecting downwardly and radially outwardly away from the body portionto a free edge such that the sealing foot is disposed entirely outboardfrom the underside of the lower collar and forms an obtuse anglerelative to the underside of the lower collar, and wherein the sealingfoot flexes about a living hinge while remaining outboard from the lowercollar and maintaining sliding contact with the support panel inresponse to applied pressure between the seal and the support panelduring use; providing a preformed surface element having a contactsurface configured to abut the support structure in a substantiallygapless relation during use; securing the retainer head within anintermediate connector operatively connected to the surface element; andinserting the retainer into an acceptance opening in the support panel,to establish an operative connection between the surface element and thesupport structure, wherein the surface element is configured such thatwhen the retainer is held between the intermediate connector and thesupport structure, the contact surface of the surface element is at anelevation such that it abuts the support structure while the sealingfoot is in flexed contacting relation with the support structure and thelower collar remains spaced in elevated relation away from the supportstructure.